About Me

I am a glass artist and the Director of Flameworking at Third Degree Glass Factory in St. Louis MO. I have been making glass beads for 15 years and teach at Third Degree to the general public and Washington University students during the school year.
I have wonderful husband and two great kids, Daniel 23 and Allie 21.
I also have my Dog and two kitties!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Cold Working Rocks! New Work

Oooh Laaa Laaa

Sometime the ideas (ok obsessions) just keep coming. It's blessing and a curse. This time I think it's a blessing.

Some of you know I work at a glass playground. We have something called a cold shop. I have shown you A day at a glass studio, where I showed you some to the things I work with like a lap wheel, belt sander, and wet saw.

The thing is I never used all this equipment for my beads. I was trying to figure out a way that spoke to how I work and wanted to get my creative juices flowing.

When Sara Sally LeGrand came to teach I got the cold working bug but I didn't want to just repeat what I learned from her. I wanted something different. So I just kept working at it and I have found it.I just can't keep away from it. Cold working is my new obsession, and I think it's here to stay for a while.

Belt Sander like mine at work.

So with these new beads I am making the murrinis which take a while, then build the disk. When building the disk the murrinis collapse and distort. By grinding away the glass it opens up the murrini again and really gives a very cool effect. It takes quite a bit of time grinding away on the belt sander. From 60 grit to 120 grit to 270 grit to 600 grit to cork to felt and cerium for the final polish. Takes about 45 mins. per disk.

The whole process for one bead is about 2-2 1/2 hours. Long time but so much fun.

When I get something new in my head I get nervous that I love it and others just won't get it. It's scary to put something out there and have it fall flat, BUT this time I don't care. I really love these and see so many possibilities. My mind spins with ideas. I hope you love these as much as I do!

6 comments:

They are GORGEOUS..love the top one with the brighter colors. Sometimes you have to be a little obsessed/ single minded to do what you need to do.....and all that work has paid off with this new approach. When I look at it I see ring or bezel....but maybe that's me not you....Anyway, Keep at it...they are really great.A glass playground.....you lucky girl!!Jenni